Talk:Franklin University Switzerland

2007

This article sounds like an advertisement for the school

  I agree. --vonurb 20:54, 23 January 2007

I think this was all just copy-pasted from the Franklin website.

I agree wholeheartedly...

I agree

That's very true. I put up the neutrality flag. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by F1nd th3 r34l (talk • contribs) 04:36, 7 March 2007 (UTC).

POV issues

This article sounded like an advertisement for Franklin College because much of it was a verbatim copy of the Franklin College website ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5]). I have removed it as per WP:Copyright. I also removed the "Webcam" section, which was unencyclopedic. Danelo 21:18, 18 July 2007 (UTC)

2008

The article's been cleaned and restructured. Vandalism left the article bare. If vandalism continues, the article should probably be locked from further edits.

Michael.Fercu (talk) 13:00, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

Nice work, thanks! 68.106.146.234 (talk) 18:16, 9 July 2008 (UTC)

2009

Is it just me, or is it not indicative of the quality level of Franklin to have the article begin with the school's accreditation? I haven't checked yet, but I'm pretty sure that Harvard's wiki entry doesn't mention the school's accreditation. I just kind of think that maybe the article still smacks of boosterism. 12.34.239.68 (talk) 20:57, 2 April 2009 (UTC)

--- I think it's more emphasizing that it's accredited by both, but yes... maybe not the best place for it. --Enchanting catalyst (talk) 10:31, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

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Semi-protected edit request on 8 January 2025

Change to the below copy please. This feature more objective, and factual data vs. the current version. This version also uses more third party sources:

Franklin University Switzerland is a private, non-profit university located in Lugano, Switzerland, founded in 1969. The university focuses on a liberal arts education with an emphasis on international exposure and hands-on learning in a diverse, global environment. Students at Franklin come from over 50 countries, contributing to its international atmosphere. The university offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees that are accredited in the United States and Switzerland. Academic programs cover a variety of fields, including art history, international management, psychology, social justice, sustainability, and political science, among others[1].

The university is known for its Academic Travel program, which is a mandatory part of the curriculum, where students travel every semester with their class to study specific topics in different countries. This travel, often combined with internships, provides students with practical, global experience.

  Franklin University Switzerland

Type Private university Established 1969 Accreditation MSCHE, AAQ President Samuel Martín Barbero Academic staff 54 Undergraduates 386 Location Lugano, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland Colors Red and White    Mascot Falcon Website www.fus.edu History

Franklin University Switzerland was founded in 1970 by former faculty members of the now-defunct Fleming College. The founders aimed to create an institution dedicated to promoting international understanding through higher education. The first courses were held at Villa Cirla in Lugano, and over the years, the university has moved campuses, settling in Sorengo in 1986. During the 2000s, Franklin expanded its academic offerings and achieved accreditation from both the Swiss University Conference and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in the United States[2]. The institution was renamed Franklin University Switzerland in 2014. Today, it continues to serve a global student body and offers a broad range of academic programs.

Today, Franklin serves students from over 60 countries across two campuses, offering 19 disciplines, while maintaining its core values of personalized learning and global engagement.[3]

Strategic Plan

Franklin’s 2030 Vision outlines a strategic roadmap for the university’s future. The plan focuses on global engagement, inclusivity, innovation, and community building. Key goals include strengthening its academic identity, expanding its international presence, and preparing students for future career opportunities[4].

The vision is built upon seven strategic pillars:

Global Footprint Franklin Voice Wellbeing Community Engagement Academic Identity Living and Learning Spaces Career Readiness

These pillars focus on addressing both the challenges and opportunities of the future, providing a comprehensive framework that will guide Franklin University Switzerland in maintaining its leadership role in global higher education[5].

Academics

Franklin University offers undergraduate majors with an interdisciplinary focus. Programs are designed to give students a broad, globally oriented education, blending fields such as international relations, economics, environmental studies, and art. The university’s flexible curriculum allows students to customize their studies to match their personal interests and professional goals.[6].

Fields of Study[7]:

Art History and Visual Culture Communication and Media Studies Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies[8] Environmental Sciences and Studies Fashion Studies Finance French Studies History International Economics International Management International Marketing Management International Relations Italian Studies Political Science Psychology Social Justice and Sustainability Visual Communication Arts

The average class size at Franklin is 16.[9] Four-year bachelor courses at Franklin cost between 117,000 and 220,000 Swiss francs.[10]

A hallmark of Franklin’s approach is the integration of experiential learning opportunities. These include internships, field studies, and other hands-on experiences that connect students with real-world challenges. The academic structure encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, ensuring students are well-prepared for their careers after graduation[11].

Academic Travel Program

As part of its curriculum, Franklin University Switzerland requires students to participate in the Academic Travel program. This program, included in tuition fees, takes students on international trips related to their courses, providing immersive, real-world learning experiences. The program allows students to study and explore various locations while gaining insights into the subjects they are studying[12].

In 2024, the Swiss Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper (NZZ) published an article on claimed deficiencies in Franklin's academic governance. Based on unverified, anonymous sources, It claimed that several of Franklin's professors had a weak academic record, with one having published nothing for 15 years.[10] Moreover, according to the NZZ, several professors reported being pressured by university leadership into giving unearned passing grades to students from wealthy families, often after an intervention by these families.[10] Franklin denied these allegations, and the issue was not independently verified.[10]

Accreditation Switzerland

Franklin is accredited in Switzerland by the Swiss Accreditation Council AAQ as a university institute.[13]

US

Franklin is accredited in the United States by the MSCHE.[14] The institution is authorized to offer bachelor's and master's degrees through the State of Delaware.[15]

Campus Franklin University Switzerland, the main campus

The university’s main campus, located in Sorengo, overlooks the town of Lugano and is surrounded by scenic natural beauty, including the Swiss Alps. The campus features a mix of historic buildings and modern facilities designed to foster collaboration and innovation among students. Franklin’s architecture emphasizes sustainability, with eco-friendly features and designs that blend with the local environment.[16].

Athletics

Franklin University Switzerland offers students a wide variety of sports and fitness programs, as well as activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. Some on-campus sports facilities include the Tone Athletic Center, two volleyball courts, a basketball court and a soccer field. Organized athletic activities include Men's and Women's Soccer, Men's and Women's Basketball, and Lugano Street Dance. Students are also encouraged to start athletic programs. Student-led activities have included Field Hockey, Yoga, Cross-fit, Pilates, and Self-Defense.[17] Since 2000-2001, Franklin's men's soccer team has competed in the National Swiss Division (5th League).

Franklin University Switzerland's location in Lugano offers students the opportunity to explore the stunning natural landscapes of the region through a variety of outdoor activities[18]:

Adventure Sports: Students participate in thrilling activities such as paragliding, e-MTB tours, and stand-up paddling on Lake Lugano. Mountain Excursions: Hiking and mountain biking trips in the Swiss Alps, including destinations like Monte Tamaro and Mt. San Giorgio. Winter Sports: Organized trips to nearby ski resorts. Cultural Events: Students can participate in local cultural events such as Lugano Pasteggia.[19]. Alumni

Franklin University has a diverse alumni network spread across the globe. Graduates have gone on to become leaders in a range of fields, from business and politics to academia and social activism. Many alumni remain engaged with the university through volunteering and supporting the institution’s initiatives. [20].

References

https://www.niche.com/colleges/franklin-university-switzerland/?msockid=0d70173ced956f4b23490251ec2f6efa. {{cite web}}: Empty citation (help): Missing or empty Cmzt23 (talk) 14:51, 8 January 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: The proposed text is overly promotional, which you were advised when you added it before page protection. It would need editing to reduce its subjectivity and make it encyclopedic. Refer to your talk page. LizardJr8 (talk) 21:13, 8 January 2025 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 9 January 2025

Please change the first paragraph with the following for more updated information: Franklin University Switzerland is a private university institute in Lugano, Switzerland. Founded in 1969, Franklin offers a liberal arts education approach, focused on international exposure and experiential learning, with students from over 50 countries. The University Institute offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees accredited in both the United States and Switzerland.

Please change the "History" section text with the following for more information: Franklin University Switzerland, formerly Fleming College, was founded in 1969 by four faculty members. Named after Benjamin Franklin, the first campus was at Villa Cirla in Lugano, offering courses in Civilisation Studies, Art, Politics, and Languages. In the 1970s, Franklin University Switzerland has been accredited as a two-year college by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). In 1986, the college settled at its permanent campus in Sorengo and became a four-year institution.

Please add the following text at the top of the Academics section for lack of information: Franklin University Switzerland offers more than 15 undergraduate majors that students can choose from, including International Relations, Environmental Studies, Economics, and Art History. The curriculum is flexible and students can tailor their studies to match their personal interests and career goals.

Please edit this paragraph for missing information: In 2024, the Swiss Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper (NZZ) reported on claimed deficiencies in Franklin's academic governance. Based on unverified, anonymous sources, it claimed that several of Franklin's professors had a weak academic record, with one having published nothing for 15 years. According to the NZZ, several professors reported being pressured by the previous university leadership into giving unearned passing grades to students from wealthy families, often after an intervention by these families. Franklin denied these allegations. CloudNine25 (talk) 13:58, 9 January 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: The page's protection level has changed since this request was placed. You should now be able to edit the page yourself. If you still seem to be unable to, please reopen the request with further details. MadGuy7023 (talk) 19:19, 15 January 2025 (UTC)